Friday, August 8, 2008

Stretching All Of My Muscles

This is the sheet of stretches that was given to me by the neurosurgeon Monday.
I have to do all of these stretches twice a day for the rest of my life at least several months, if not more.



On paper, they seem relatively easy, but in real life, they are very difficult.
While doing these stretches, my body breaks out into a cold sweat.
I had no idea how weak I actually was until doing these exercises. My muscles have literally not been used for over a month now. I am physically so weak from not using my muscles for so long.

As I was laying on the floor the other day sweating, I started thinking about my "spiritual" muscles.
If I don't exercise them regularly, I will be spiritually weak.
I won't be able to handle the difficult situations that may come my way very well, because I will have no spiritual strength.

When my spiritual muscles are weak, I am open prey for the enemy and all of his schemes.

And the only way to have spiritual strength is to daily spend time with God praying and reading His Word.

The whole experience of back surgery and recovery has been very eye opening for me.

It has been a wake up call of just how important it is to take care of myself physically, as well as spiritually.

Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."


The doctor suggested that I use a folded quilt to help provide a cushion for my back against the hardwood floor.



And although the doctor did not suggest this next little piece of advice, I find it to be very helpful if I do all of the stretches in front of the television. Especially if say, Tristan from "Legends of the Fall" just happens to be on the screen.



Sigh.

Daniel took this next picture of Shannon following the doctor's orders given to him. He has to stretch my leg into this position twenty-five times, twice a day for two months.
Unfortunately, this is quite a workout for him, as he has to do all of the heavy lifting. I cannot help him. I have to trust him as he lifts it a little further each time.

Which also reminded me of my relationship with the Lord. I have to trust Him as He allows my spiritual muscles to be stretched. Each time He allows the spiritual stretching to occur, it is for my own good. Just like this physical stretching is to help heal my body, God allows spiritual stretching to help in healing my heart and to bring me into a closer relationship with Him.



I just need you to ignore the bottom of my foot. Thanks! (Mom, I'm so sorry about exposing the bottom of my crusty foot on the Internet. I will use your Ped Egg on the bottom of both of my feet as soon as I can reach them.)

And is it just me, or does Shannon seem a little distracted while he is helping me do my leg stretches?



I'm just saying is all.

Heb 12:12
"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."


26 comments:

Hula Girl at Heart said...

Tristan. Sigh. I'm sorry did you say something?

Actually, once again you've nailed an important point. Thanks for the words of wisdom this morning. I exercise a lot, but I don't stretch my spiritual muscles enough.

Tina said...

Oh...If that's the view for stretching, I'm in!

I love how God shows you the relationship between what's going on with your physically vs spiritually...I love that you are so good at putting it into words for the rest of us.

Nice post!

Follow the orders...
Have a great day!
Tina

Sharon said...

Amy,
Great post, I will meditate on this one the rest of the day.

How is Allie?
Hugggs to you
Sharon

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

Bless your heart, angel girl! Hopefully, this will make you and Shannon even closer than you already are! Just take care of your sweet self! You AMAZE me EVERY DAY! Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you? Yep! Just as in The Sixth Sense! EVERY DAY!!! I love you!
Mom :)

Gina said...

That was a great analogy about our physical and our spiritual well being. Thanks for the reminder. And thanks for the yummy pic of Brad Pitt first thing in the morning. :)

God bless,
Gina

Pleasant Living said...

You are so great a making connections between the literal and spiritual aspects of life. I enoy doing the same. I don't know if it's because I'm a teacher and am always making connections for students and teaching them to do the same, or what. But, I think that's the best way to help others understand our wonderful Lord.

And, fyi, I added the recipe for chicken and biscuits to my post if you're interested. Although, I don't think you have much use for recipes for a while.

My Blessings From Above said...

What a great post. Lots of food for thought. Praying you are stronger as each day passes.
Love,
Michele

Tracey said...

Sometimes if I'm trying to get through something and I know it will only be for a short period of time (carrying something heavy etc.) I say THE LORD'S PRAYER and then take a break at the end and start all over again.

I like your ideas too....also having cute SHANNON there to help is a wonderful plan too!

God Bless!

Liz Harrell said...

You guys are just too adorable. :)

Mia said...

I bet Angelina has crusty feet too!! LOL
Thank you for reminding me that I have to "exercise the word" EVERYDAY. God works strong in my weakness as long as I meet him there!
I love,love your spiritual encouragement dear friend.
Still praying have a great day!
Oh and thank you so much for your prayers for my dd and wee-one.

Unknown said...

Again another good and funny post. I was wondering what Shannon was looking at then I saw the pic. I am sure however he was admiring the new TV. Also, your feet reminded me of Sadie:)

Nicole said...

Awesome analogy! Hope those stretches come along good for you. I'm so glad your husband is so good to you and your family during this time. I know it can get difficult. My husband is such a blessing also. During my illness he has been so good to take care of me and do things that I have been not able to do. I know he doesn't always like doing it but he tries to do it with a great attitude. Our hubby's are such blessings, huh?


Love and Hugs,
Nicole

sa061545@bellsouth.net said...

That little twirp Kenny is in TROUBLE with me!!!! How DARE he embarrass me in front of all of BLOGLAND!!! His days are numbered!
Sadie! :)

Denise said...

I love this post. Shannon is such a cute physical therapist! Your foot looks fine to me. At least it's a decent size. If my big ol' Jethro foot had been in the air like that, Shannon's whole face would have been hidden ;)
You are just too funny and oh, so wise. You make me smile or laugh out loud with each post. Thank you so much!

Love,
Denise

Jamie said...

Excellent analogy between physical muscles and spiritual muscles. What a great reminder to build up and strengthen our spiritual-selves.

MereinSC said...

good luck with your recovery!!

i adore tristan in legends of the falls also... i watched that movie not too long ago... twice in a row! ek!

Paula V said...

Ames,
Will you disown me as a friend if I say I do not know who Tristan is? haha

This is an excellent analogy.

However, I will need a closer look at those feet to agree if they are crusty. They sure don't look it.

I have heard good things about the Ped Egg. I think Rebecca (tigerdaisy) has one.

You and your picture takin'....we all enjoy it!
Luvya,
Paula

Doran & Jody said...

Keep up with exercising. Both kinds! Glad to see you doing better.

Dee said...

Well I hate to be unsaitnly, but I can so relate to your plight. My wrist is only now just starting to become a little more flexible.

Thank you for your thought provoking spiritual analogy, it is a good reminder to keep at it.

Thanks for being so fabulous!

Karma said...

I can honestly say that I am not the Stretch Queen. In fact, I hate it. My dance teacher once told me that "ouch" was her favorite word during stretching because it meant we were working... Yuckie. But, you are really supposed to just stretch until discomfort, not pain. Ha. Good luck with all the work. Television.... great idea!

<3 ellie :)

Whitney said...

Wow - I bet it kind of feels good to your body for it to be all stretched out like that. Keep up the good work!:)

Lelia Chealey said...

I was hoping Shannon wasn't looking at Brad Pitt too!!! :)
I'll have to show my husband what it looks like to obey the doc's orders to do PT.

Great analogy of being stretched.

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Well, at least you both are keeping it in the same family...HA!!

Great Post Amy! You have the best way of viewing things in a spiritual manner. I love that about you!!


Okay, but the whole Peg-Egg thing?? GROSS!!! Just the thought of that gives me the heebee-jeevies.

Take care of yourself. Talk to you later - S. ;)

LynnSC said...

Amy this is such a great post. We have to be in the Word daily to strengthen our spiritual muscles... but our faith must also be tested at times to give those muscles a work-out. Are you getting a work-out these days?? I know that I am!!

Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my blog.
Lynn

Unknown said...

Amy you crack me up! But your post was spot on. We do need to exercise our spiritual muscles. Great analogy!

Unknown said...

I LOVE IT! Shannon is such a dear sweet husband. You are a blessed woman, my dear. A blessed woman.

My feet are needing the Ped Egg again....maybe I'll do that tonight! :)

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca